Dog Training

Re: Limping Pets- How to Treat Them.

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Pets injure themselves in a variety of ways. One of the most common symptoms is limping.

As a dedicated pet owner, you should be able to perform a basic lameness exam.

Your pet may be able to be treated effectively and safely at home.

SIGNS

You may see your pet holding up a sore leg, or favoring one side. If you are trying to decide which leg is sore, watch him walk from the back and the front. He will drop his head down on the sound leg.

CAUSES

Limping can indicate a serious injury, such as a fracture, but most often it indicated sore muscle, ligaments or tendons ( soft tissue injury).

Dogs frequently strain muscles and ligaments, especially the inactive couch warriors.

Cats most often limp from bite wounds or abscesses.

Older dogs and cats are often arthritic and favoring a leg, especially when they first get up after lying down.

SOLUTIONS

WHERE IS IT COMING FROM.

The first step is finding out what part of her leg is sore. Watch your pet walk so you can see which is the sore leg.

After that have your pet lay on her side with the sore limb up. Examine and palpate the leg beginning at the paw. Gently, but firmly flex and extend each joint.

The front leg: the paw, wrist, elbow, shoulder.

The back leg: the paw, hock, knee and hip.

This should reveal exactly which area is the cause of lameness.

The joint most commonly affected in the front is the elbow.

The joint most commonly affected in the back is the knee.

PAIN RELIEF

THE MEDICINE CABINET. Aspirin is safe to use in dogs, bur NEVER IN CATS! The ASA dose is 325mg (1 regular tablet) per 40lbs of body weight given twice daily. Give ¼ tab to a 10 lb dog. If side effects are seen, such as diarrhea or vomiting, then stop. I recommend uncoated regular aspirin, as the coated aspirin may pass right through your pet.

THE ASPIRIN JOINT. Acupressure is another option: press BL60, on the hind leg on the outside of the ankle, for 1 minute twice daily. GB 41. This is located on the bottom of the foot, in the depression of the two outside toes. Especially good for arthritic pain in the hips. LI 4. Located on the front foot, over top of the two inside bones above the toes ( metacarpals). This is an important point for pain relief, especially for the shoulder. Try this for 2 weeks and assess if it is helping your pet.

VALERIAN. This is a very effective herb used to release the muscle spasms that can be triggered by arthritis. The dose of the tincture is .1ml per 10 lbs given twice daily.

HOMEOPATHIC THAT WORKS WELL When a soft tissue injury suddenly occurs, Arnica can help. The dose is 2 pellets of 30C given twice daily.

SORE MUSCLE - COLD COMPRESS. If you suspect a soft tissue injury like a sprain or strain, then apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling, and speed healing.
You can use specially designed ice packs ( found at most pharmacies), cold towels, or packs of frozen vegetables. Apply the ice every 2 hours for 10 minutes at a time for the first 2-3 days.

BITE WOUNDS. This is the most common cause of lameness in cats. If your cat is lame, then first take her temperature. If her temp is elevated ( greater than 39.5) then likely she has been in a fight.

BARBER TIME. Trim the hair around the bite or wound. Trim large sections with scissors, and carefully use a disposable razor to trim the hair next to the skin.

KEEP IT CLEAN. If possible, put your pet in the sink or bathtub and run lukewarm tap water on the bite or abscess for 5 minutes. If your pet won't tolerate running water, use a damp cloth or gauze sponge. Purchase an antiseptic soap, Hibitane, available at your local pharmacy, and wash the area well. Keep the wound clean and perform this water therapy twice daily for 5-7 days.

STAY OPEN. The most important thing you can do to prevent the bite from turning into a costly abscess is to vigorously scrub the puncture wound with a damp cloth and antiseptic soap. The puncture marks MUST stay open for at least 3 days to drain properly. For large abscesses that are open and draining, keep them open for at least 3 days after you have thoroughly cleaned them and clipped the surrounding hair.

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